Historically, forests in India have been viewed solely with the potential for timber as their main value. Not until the 1980s were the truly valuable ‘services’ rendered by forests recognized as important, though these are still not counted in the national budget. Notwithstanding the figures, the place of forests in the national economy was recognized when the National Agriculture Commission recommended a shift in forest policy from one based on direct benefits to that encompassing the total value of services rendered by the forests. After the new national forest policy announced in 1988, the official emphasis has been shifted to manage the forests for their services besides their potential for production of wood and timber.
There is need for paradigm shift of integrated management of natural resources through watershed approach, where the management of natural resources is integrated and sustained through their inter-dependence and inter-relatedness leading to improvement of the overall production system monitored jointly by the community and public sector managers.
To introduce need-based cropping system/models in hills of north east India would have the ability to conserve soil, moisture and nutrients instead of intensive farming systems or use of high-yield varieties. Trees, green hedges, crop farming models integrating Leucaena leucocephala, Cajanus cajan (perennial) and non-Nitrogen fixing species Manihot esculentus are suggested whereas bamboo-based agro-forestry system comprising Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, Dendrocalamus longispathus and Bambusa tulda grown along with soybean have been advocated.
Since there is a continued demand for recreational sites by the tourists even for a higher entry-fee (hypothetical market), a portion of consumer surplus could be tapped and converted into revenue from the tourism. Also, the non-users of the forest resources are willing to pay for conservation activities if the forest resources are preserved for the non-economic values of the ecosystem.
National Bamboo Mission will promote the growth of the bamboo sector in the country through area-based regionally differentiated strategies. It is a centrally-sponsored scheme commenced in 2006-07 with 100 per cent assistance. For achieving the objectives of the Mission, it is necessary for the States to remove restrictions coming in the way of development of bamboo. Bamboo Plantation activities over five years would generate about 50.4 million man-days of work.
To combat the extreme climatic changes and to make the agriculture sustainable, farmers need to blend the modern as well as the traditional techniques. The farmers also need to be oriented about hybrid seeds which are not harmful to the land and eco-system. The findings of the research carried out by reputed agricultural universities/institutions have to be brought to common farmers for adoption. The most effective way to address climate change is to adopt a sustainable development pathway by shifting to environmentally sustainable technologies and promotion of energy efficiency, renewable energy, forest conservation, water conservation, etc. Application of best management practices in agriculture and use of bio-fuels for Green House Gas (GHG) mitigation, improving manure management to increase water retention, reduction or elimination of fallow periods between crops, land use changes to increase soil carbon, etc. are some of the measures for mitigating climate change effects. Development of new breeding line, which is less sensitive to sowing dates and temperature regimes in Rabi season, is the need of the hour.
There will be the emergence of a variety of new climatic finance mechanisms using international emissions trading markets to attract private investments in mitigation activities in developing countries. Carbon markets must be structured by governmental actions to achieve significantly greater emissions reductions, and then it may be produced by an open market, such as the current market for Certified Emission Reduction. CDM should be supported by more ambitious sectoral and policy crediting mechanisms.
Though for the past two decades, we are bearing the wrath of climate change, still we lack a hardcore policy to confront its consequences. We have to work with cooperation and have to implement a common policy in the South Asian region in order to overcome the wrath posed by the climate change. Inter-connectivity of these data systems under an over-arching system for management is largely missing. Developing a statistical system for informed decisions and better policies, which could help taking possible safeguards from catastrophes and develop a system for better mitigation and adaptation techniques, assumes a lot of significance.
Academic institutions, NGOs along with government organizations, may play a major role in reaching out to the masses for measures to mitigate impact of climate change by awareness generation and educational programs at community level. Education system needs drastic changes to meet challenges of sustainability and can be achieved by better communication among all stakeholders, public participation and opinion polls involving all sections of society. Also we need a National Forum for suggesting optimum solutions for specific needs of persons/groups and for government policies.
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can be part of the solutions to climate change. No doubt, increased use of ICT is part of the cause of global warming; however, ICT can also be a key part of the solution by focusing on efforts on more standardized power supplies and batteries, smart devices, research and development on consumption & power supplies, economy-wide emissions reductions by offering smart energy solutions. A clear message on the role of ICT in climate change is urgently required and this message needs to be delivered outside the ICT sector. Raising concerns, which are equally important to reflect on the potential challenges posed by new technologies, as well as on the enabling environments (institutions, legal structure & policy frame-work), are required for ICT to play an effective role within adaptation.
Globalization induces many opportunities but also chances of self-destruction as regard development of peace and spirituality of mankind. Global changes include economic recession and poverty, climate change, terrorism, craving, peace, etc., which in short give safety and continuity to human species. Development includes eradication of poverty, illiteracy, protection of ecology & environment, sustainable consumptions, values, lifestyles, world peace and spiritual existence. There is need to improve education for better socio-economic goals and strengths of society.
